Jackson Councilman Aaron Banks is calling for the boycott of Northpark shopping center following what he describes as an incident of "blatant racism" Tuesday.

Banks said several students from Tougaloo College and their adviser, Edelia Carthan, were asked to leave after attempting to encourage mall patrons to vote in Tuesday's election.

The students were wearing "Black Voters Matter" sweatshirts.

After leaving, Carthan told WAPT-TV Newsthat a group of mall security told her she had been warned before to not come back. Cartham says she was then pulled over by a Ridgeland police officer and told she would be arrested if she returned.

Ridgeland Police Chief John Neal wasn't immediately available for comment.

Jackson Councilman Aaron Banks(Photo: Submitted)

Security at the shopping center referred questions to shopping center management, which wasn't immediately available for comment. Northpark, which sits on private property, has about 88 stores and is a popular destination for metro Jackson shoppers, especially during the holidays.

Mall rules prohibit "any activity that disrupts our pleasant, family-oriented shopping environment" or "any activity inconsistent with the general purpose of the property, which is shopping, dining, visiting theaters or offices for business purposes."

The mall's "Code of Conduct" also states:

"The mall is a privately owned property. Guests who do not act responsibly may be asked to leave. If they refuse to leave the property, they may be arrested and prosecuted for criminal trespass."

Banks, however, said he believes the rules would be unequally applied.

"Had this been white students wearing Confederate shirts that say 'Our Mississippi,' would mall management have done the same thing?" Banks asked.